Gordon Hayward has been away from the team recently, nowhere to be found during the Boston Celtics' recent Game 1 overtime victory over the Milwaukee Bucks.

If that stands as an oddity, it is because he's choosing to invest all of his time in his recovery.

The 6-foot 8 forward will now be working with trainer Jason Smeathers, a leading specialist in running mechanics, according to Abby Chin of NBC Sports Boston.

Hayward will be in his native Indianapolis for his workout regimen, as the Celtics have prioritized his ultimate recovery, as they did with Kyrie Irving, who underwent a season-ending cleanup procedure earlier this month.

Hayward still has ways to go before being in shape to take the court again, and the team has chosen to remove any distractions from the current playoff roster after President Danny Ainge was asked countless times about a potential postseason return.

The marksman played only a few minutes with his new uniform before suffering a dislocated ankle and a fractured tibia during a scary fall after being undercut on an alley-oop play during the season-opener against the Cleveland Cavaliers.

Hayward is still expected to be ready for training camp prior to the start of the 2018-19 season.